LETTER 



OF 



JOHN McDONOGH, 



ON 

AFRICAN COLONIZATION: 

ADDRESSED 

TO THE EDITORS 

OF THE 

NEW-ORLEANS COMMERCIAL BULLETIN. 

NEW ORLEANS : 

PRINTED AT THE COMMERCIAL BULLETIN OFFICE. 

18.42. 



C^' 



4 

taction (I would ask every humane master) would he not enjoy, 
in knowing that he was surrounded by friends, on whose faithful- 
ness and fidelity he and his family could rely, under every pos- 
sible contingency." In fulfilment then of said promise, I now 
undertake to explain the observation I then made, "That the 
act of sending those people away, is in my case, one of simple 
honesty alone ;" and to set forth and show the mode I adopted 
and pursued, (after much experience and reflection[on the sub- 
ject,) for many years in their treatment, and its results. Before 
commencing however, this long detail of treatment and its at- 
tending circumstances, I will premise to those who feel an inte- 
rest in the subject, and will take the trouble to read this recital, 
that it is one of Egotism throughout ; it tells of what the master 
said and what he did, from the beginning of the chapter to its 
end— in this therefore I will be excused, it is what I promised, 
and there is but one y&y of telling the story to make it intelligi- 
ble. To proceed then, and give you the plan which I laid down 
for myself, and have pursued for the last seventeen years, for 
the conduct and management of those I held in bondage, I have 
to observe, that having been at all times opposed to laboring on 
the Sabbath day, (except in cases of actual necessity,) one of my 
rules for their walk and guidance in life, always was, that they 
should never work on that holy day, prohibited as we were from 
so doing by the Divine law. A long experience however con- 
vinced me of the utter impossibility of carrying it out in prac- 
tice by men held in bondage, and obliged to labor for their mas- 
ter six full days in the week ; and I saw on reflection much to 
extenuate as to them, the offence against my rule. They were 
men, and stood in need of many little necessaries of life, not 
supplied by their master, and which they could obtain in no 



other way, but by labor on that day. 1 therefore had often to 
shut my eyes and not see the offence, though I knew my in- 
structions on that head were not obeyed ; and in consequence, 
after long and fruitless exertions (continued for many years,) to 
obtain obedience to that injunction, I determined to allow them 
the one-half of Saturday (say, Saturday, from mid-day until 
night,) to labor for themselves, under a penalty well understood 
by them, of punishment fjr disobedience, (if they violated there- 
after the Sabbath day,) and sale to some other master. From 
this time, which was about the year 1822, the Sabbath day was 
kept holy — Church was regularly attended, forenoon and after- 
noon, (for I had a Church built expressly for them on my own 
plantation, in which a pious neighbor occasionally preached on 
the Sabbath day, assisted by two or three of my own male 
slaves, who understood, preached, and expounded the scrip- 
tures passably well, and at times I read them a sermon myself,) 
and I perceived in a very short time, a remarkable change in 
their manners, conduct and life, in every respect for the better. 
We proceeded on in this way, happy, prosperous and blessed in 
every respect by the Most High, for about three years, or until 
1825, when seeing the amount of money which they gained by 
their Saturday afternoons labor (they in general labored for my- 
self, though they were permitted to labor for whom they pleas- 
ed, giving the preference to their master, even at a less rate of 
wages, on whose honesty they could depend for payment, for 
they were paid as regularly as the night came,) in the long days 
of summer, I paid the men for their Saturday afternoons labor, 
at the rate of 62 £ cents per day, the women at the rate of 50 cts. 
per day ; in the short days of winter, I paid the men at the rate 
of 50 cents per day, the women 33 '\ rents per day, and the 



() 

large boys and girls in proportion. I was led 1o calculate in 
what length of time, by labor, economy and perseverance in 
well doing, they would be enabled to purchase the remaining 
5g days of the week, (seeing that they had a capital of their 
own, in the one half of one day in each week to begin to trade 
on,) and by that means obtain freedom for themselves and chil- 
dren. In this estimate and calculation T so m satisfied myself, 
that it could be effected in the space of 14 to 15 years at the 
furthest. The next consideration with me was, 44 ls it my in- 
terest to assist them in its accomplishment, or can I by any 
means I can devise, make it to become my interest to assist 
them in obtaining their freedom in that time." This also re- 
quired reflection and calculation. I went at it, and in a very 
short time, from the clearest of all deductions was convinced ; 
satisfied that it could be done ; and that it was in every point of 
view in which the subject could be looked at and considered, my 
interest, (and more especially, if I took into view the considera- 
tions of satisfaction, pleasantness and happiness, which I should 
enjoy in tending to the happiness of others,) to do it. When 
thus satisfied that the project was good in itself, and worthy of 
trial for various solid reasons, I determined to lay my plan be- 
fore them, and explain it in all its bearings, (that is, before some 
ten or twelve men and women ; those men and women in whom 
the others had confidence, and looked up to at all times and in all 
situations, for their superior talents, capacity and virtues, for 
counsel and advice — for it is the same with the black as the 
white man: assemble together for the first time, twenty or fifty 
white men, a company of soldiers for instance, and within forty- 
eight hours after being brought together, [though strangers to 
each other] the great majority will place their eyes on certain 



7 

moii among them, for their wisdom, courage and virtue, on 
whom they, unknowingly to one another, determine to look up 
to, as leaders or chiefs, to conduct, counsel and advise them.) — 
This I did when church service was over, on a Sabbath after- 
noon, observing to them, that having their welfare and happi- 
ness in this world, as well as the next, much at heart, I was in 
consequence, greatly desirous of serving them and their children; 
that in furtherance of those views and desires, I had a plan to 
propose to them, which, if you have confidence in the truth and 
honesty of your master, of his friendship for you, and sincere 
desire to serve you and do you good, (for except you have that 
confidence in him, and mutual regard, friendship and esteem for 
him, there would be no use in saying a word more about it, or 
in attempting to carry out the plan I have to propose to you, for 
I notify you before hand, it cannot succeed, if the most unlimited 
confidence and esteem does not mutually exist, as well on the 
side of the master as of the servant,) and will from this day and 
hour, change the whole course of your lives, (though I ac- 
knowledge injustice to you all, that I have no particular charge 
to make against the morality of your past lives,) and walk in the 
love and fear of GOD. If you and your children will be faith- 
ful, honest, true, sober, economical, industrious, (not eye ser- 
vants,) laboring day and night, considering the affairs and inte- 
rest of your master as the affairs, concerns and interest of each, 
and every one of you individually, and all this, with a fixed de- 
termination to persevere in well doing to the end, under every 
temptation that may assail you, and over every obstacle thai 
may fall in your way, and will in every thing be ruled, directed 
and guided by me, I will then in that case, and under this full 
agreement and understanding between us, undertake so to man- 



8 

age your affairs, (by becoming your banker, the keeper of your 
gains, anil of your accounts,) as to insure your freedom, and 
that of your children, with the blessing of the Most High, (viz: 
your freedom m Liberia, in the land of your fathers, a great and 
glorious land ; for let it be understood between us. It is your 
freedom in Liberia that I contract for, for 1 would never consent 
to give freedom to a single individual among you, to remain on 
the same soil with the white man,) within the term, (according 
to my estimate and calculation,) of fifteen or sixteen years, or 
thereabouts, say a year or two sooner, or a year or two later. — 
This will be effected in conformity to my plan and estimate, in 
the following manner, viz : The one-half of Saturday being al- 
ready your own, (in consequence of my agreement with you, 
that no labor shall be done on the Sabbath day,) your first ob- 
ject will be to gain a sufficient sum of money to purchase the 
other half of Saturday, which is, the one-eleventh part of the 
time you have to labor for your master, and of consequence, the 
one-eleventh part of the value your master has put upon you, 
and which you have to pay him for your freedom, (This I 
notify you will be the most difficult part of your undertaking, 
and take the longest time to accomplish,) and is to be effected 
by laboring for me on Saturday afternoons, and leaving the 
amount of your labor in my hands to be husbanded up for you. 
By foregoing every thing yourselves, and drawing as little mo- 
ney as possible out of my hands, I calculate you will be able to 
accomplish it in about seven years ; that once accomplished, 
and one whole day out of six your own, you will go on more 
easy and rapidly ; indeed, that once effected, your success is 
certain ; proceeding then on in your good work, you will be 
enabled easily, by your earnings on one entire day in each 



9 

week to effect the purchase of another d y of your time, in 
about four years. Now master and owner of two days in each 
week, you will be able in two years more to purchase another 
day, so that three days, or the one-half of your time, will be 
your own ; in one and a half years more you will be able to 
purchase another day, making four days your own ; in one year 
more, another, or the fifth day ; and in six months, the last day, 
or the whole of your time will be your own. Your gains in less 
than another year wil 1 suffice to free, (added to what the youths 
will have gained in the mean time,) your children, and all will 
be accomplished. In the foregoing estimate, I calculate that 
you will draw from me occasionally, some small sums of mo- 
ney to furnish little necessaries you may need ; but you will 
remember, when one draws, the whole of you, each individual 
must draw at the same time ; the men an equal sum each ; the 
women the three-fourth part each, of the sum drawn by the men. 
That you shall be estimated at fair and reasonable prices — say, 
the men at six hundred dollars each — the women at four hun- 
dred and fifty, and the boys, girls and children in proportion. — 
An account shall be opened at once on my books, and your val- 
uations charged, without taking into account the increased value 
of the youth and children as they advance in age, and no child 
to be charged who shall be born after the commencement of 
this agreement ; this, in some measure, as a counterbalance tb 
an interest account, as none will be calculated or allowed you 
on the amount of your gains in my hands — that such men and 
women as have no children of their own, when they have work- 
ed out their prices, shall be held and obligated to work 
and assist in paying for the children of the others, so that the 
whole company shall gU on the ^ame day on board ship, and 



10 

sail for your father land. That I expect and shall insist on 
strict performance of your moral and religious duties in every 
respect, and church regularly attended by you, and your chil- 
dren, forenoon and afternoon on the Sabbath day. That as I 
would not agree to keep an immoral or bad servant, or one who I 
would be obliged to have chastised for offences, on any consid- 
eration; should any of you therefore commit crimes at any time, 
whilst serving under this agreement, he, or she, shall be imme- 
diately put up at public sale, (their offences declared and made 
known,) and sold ; and whatever money they had earned under 
this agreement, shall go to the benefit of the others in general. 
(I have now to state, that during the whole of the period in 
which they were laboring for themselves, under this agreement, 
I had to sell for, conduct, I could not pardon, but, two individu- 
als ; this should not be considered strange, looking at the situa- 
tion in which they were placed, in the vicinage of such a city 
as New Orleans, and often times within its bosom for months 
together.) I have now to observe that their surprise and aston- 
ishment at such a proposal, (coming as it did, from a master, 
who had unlimited legal power over them and their time) ex- 
pecting nothing of the kind, may be easily conceived — they 
gave their consent with tears of joy — declared the confidence 
they entertained of my truth, honesty and pure intentions to do 
them and their children good, and their willingness and deter- 
mination to be guided in all things by me, and to make my will 
and my interest, (after the Divine will) the study and rule 
of their lives. On separating, I told them to communicate 
my plan and proposals to their adult fellow servants, male 
and female, and to say to them that none were bound or 
(breed to come into the arrangement who had any objection 



11 

to it — that such as did not wish to accept of it, should go on 
under the old regulations, and I requested one and all of 
them to consult together through the week, and to give me 
their final answer and determination on the next Sabbath in 
Church, when it should be confirmed or abandoned, at the 
same time charging them as they valued my affection, to 
keep what I had said to them, (desirous as I was to avoid, 
by so doing, the making the slaves of other plantations un- 
happy or discontented,) in their own bosoms, and never to 
disclose it until after they should have left the country for 
Africa, to a living being on earth. (Be content said I to 
them, with the good you are about to receive, and keep the 
knowledge of it to yourselves.) This, they promised me 
they would do, and which I believe they religiously did. — 
On the next Sabbath day I met them in Church, and was 
told that they had informed all their fellow servants of my 
views and intentions towards them — that they had well re- 
flected through the past week on all that I had said to them ; 
that they were at a loss for words to express their love and 
gratitude to me for what I had done, and was now desirous 
of doing for them and their children, that they had always 
looked on me in the light of a father, deeply interested in 
their welfare, that I was the only true friend they had on 
earth — that they accepted one and all of the proposals I had 
made them, and were determined, with the assistance of the 
Most High, to a change of life, to live and walk in the Di- 
vine law; to be guided in all their worldly conduct, implicit- 
ly by my directions and counsel, and to fulfil with all the 
energy of their souls the agreement they had entered into, 
di\d taken with me. On this, I observed to them, that it 



12 

was a\l well — that the contract and agreement was now con- 
cluded — that we would on both sides, master and servants, 
begin from that day, to execute and carry it out — that I 
would put down in writing all I had said to them, that no 
mistake might arise thereafter of what 1 had said, or what 
I had not said. That to put you however more fully in 
possession of my scheme for your benefit, to give you a more 
perfect understanding of it, (of the contract which you are 
about to take on yourselves,) so that in the carrying of it 
out, complete success may attend it on both sides — that nei- 
ther party, master nor slave, may be disappointed, I will in- 
form you what I expect to realize, and how it is to be effec- 
ted. My object, is your freedom and happiness in Liberia, 
without loss or the cost of a cent to myself, from sending you 
away, and conferring that boon, fas the humble instrument of 
the Most High, J on you and your children. How, you will 
naturally enquire, is that to be done. I will tell you how it 
is to be done. There is but one way, one mode to effect it, 
that I can see, or devise, and that is by greater assiduity 
and exertions in the slave to his labor during the usual hours 
of day labor, and especially by extra hours of labor before 
day in the morning, and after night, in the evening. One 
hour after night in the evening, and one hour before day in 
the morning, would be two hours extra in twenty-four hours, 
which would be the one-sixth part more of time devoted to 
labor than is generally demanded of the slave, which is 
equivalent to two years and a half additional labor in fifteen 
years. Two hours extra labor before day in the morning, 
and two hours after night in the evening, would be four 
hours extra in every twenty-four hours or day, which woulcf 



13 

he the one-third part more of time devoted to labor than is 
generally demanded of the slave, which is equivalent to five 
entire years of additional and extra labor in fifteen years. — 
Without a scheme of this kind, said I to them, by means 
of which you can effect a greater amount of labor in a given 
time than you otherwise could do, I could not afford to send 
you out; for without it, my sending you to Liberia, would, 
(under the agreement, and in the mode I propose, of per- 
mitting you to gain your freedom by laboring during the 
hours and time which belong to your master,, and by that 
means paying him for your time,) though it appears spe- 
cious in itself, be, in reality, the making you a present of 
your time — the making you and your children a gift of your 
freedom — for as the whole of your time belongs to your 
master, (the Sabbath day excepted, on which holy day 
neither master nor servant is permitted to labor,) if he was 
to permit you to work on a certain part of it, to make mo- 
ney to purchase your freedom, he would, in reality, in so 
doing, make you a gift of your freedom, which few masters 
could afford to do. But in the mode which I propose, and 
now explain to you, that you may fully comprehend and 
understand it, (which is the contract and agreeement you 
are now making, and taking on yurselvcs to perform,) your 
master will not make you a present of an hour of your time, 
and you, in reality, will have gained and placed in his 
hands, previous to the going out free, a sum of money ari- 
sing from your extra labor, fully sufficient to enable him to 
purchase an equal number of people with yourselves, man 
fbr man, woman for woman, and youth and child for youth 
and child, to take your place in the work of his farm, so that 



14 

iiis work and revenue shall not be stopped or arrested for an 
hour, and to set you out with all things necessary in your 
new life and new undertaking, (should he think proper so 
to do) much to your own advantage, respectability and hap- 
piness, and to his own satisfaction and honor; for a humane 
master will delight in tending to the happiness of those whom 
the Most High has placed under his care, and who have 
served him truly and faithfully. The only difference and 
change, then, which this arrangement will make in the af- 
fairs of your master will be that he will have the same num- 
ber of new servants in the place and stead of his old and 
faithful ones, to do his work. You therefore now see, and 
fully understand, what my scheme for your benefit is. It is 
feasible and can be easily accomplished, while it will tend 
at the same time, to the happiness of your lives while car- 
rying it out and putting it into execution. I repeat to you 
again, said I to them, that my plan is based on extra labor, 
that you must consider none (day or night) too great for you 
to perform, remembering at the same time that it is not to 
be accomplished in a day, but will require years of perse- 
verance in well doing, to effect it. On my part, you may 
depend on my prudence, not to involve myself by specula- 
tion or otherwise, (with the Divine blessing,) so as to put it 
out of my power to carry out the agreement; and I will 
take care by keeping regular accounts of all your gains, 
and by instructions to my Executors, in my last will and 
testament, (should it please Him in whose hands all things 
are, to take me from life before the full accomplishment of 
the scheme,) to have our agreement truly and fully execu- 
ted, aud justice rendered you, by selling you out as ser- 



15 

vants lor time, and then, (after the expiration of your term, 
of service,) seeing that you and your children arc sent out 
to Liberia. To all this, they (the whole of the adults, men 
and women, no youth or child was present) lent an atten- 
tive ear,; and again, with eyes streaming with tears, assu- 
red me of their full determination to devote their days and 
nights to the honor of God, the happiness of their children, 
and the carrying out the plan I had devised for their bene- 
fit. It now remains for me to state the results of the expe- 
riment. In less than six years the first half day was gained 
and paid for by them. In about four years, the next, or se- 
cond day of the week, was paid for and their own. In about 
two and a quarter years, the next or third day, was paid for 
and made their own. In about fifteen months, the next, or 
fourth day, was theirs. In about a year, the next, or fifth 
day was gained and paid for; and, in about six months, the 
last, or sixth day of the week, became their own, and com- 
pleted the purchase — effecting their freedom in about four- 
teen and a half years. After this, it took them some where 
about five months to labor, to pay the balance due on their 
children, added to what the youths, (boys and girls) had 
earned. If there appears any discrepancy in the period 
in which they effected the purchase of the different days 
for themselves, it is to be accounted for in their drawing 
more money at one period than at another, as they frequently 
did towards the last, aftet they had accomplished the pur- 
chase of two or three days, or their freedom would have 
been sooner accomplished. This took place, (the effecting 
of their freedom) in August, 18 10, nearly two years since; 
at which time th?y would have taken their departure for Li- 



16 

beria, but as the Abolitionists of the Northern and Eastern 
States of our Union had occasioned much excitement in our 
State, not only among the owners of slaves, but among the 
slaves themselves, I did not consider it safe, or myself at 
liberty, (howeversomuch I desired it) as there was a con- 
siderable black population in the immediate neighborhood 
of the residence of those my black people, to send them 
away. I therefore told them, (without giving them the 
cause,) that they must be satisfied to remain where they 
were until the proper time for their departure should arrive, 
with which they remained satisfied. So that they effected 
their freedom as above stated, in about fourteen years and 
a half; and the assertion I made in your Gazette of the 
24th of June last, "that the act of sending those people 
away is, in my case, one of simple honesty alone" — is ex- 
plained in my having received in money from them, (or the 
equivalent of money,) the full price agreed on between us, 
for their freedom in Liberia. Some persons, Messrs. Edi- 
tors, may now, perhaps, be disposed to say, why proceed 
in this roundabout way, this giving the one half of Saturday, 
this keeping of accounts, this purchasing of day after day, 
&c. &c.-— »it is all unnecessary, and their workiug to gain 
their time an illusion — that the whole of the time of the 
slave belongs to, and is the time of the master — that the 
master can compel his labor, without freeing his slave, &c. 
I admit the truth of the latter part of the assertion that the 
time and labor of the slave belongs of right to the master, 
but deny that the first is illusory, as respects either one or 
the other, the master or his slave . ; for it is founded in the 
moral constitution of man. Without hope, a certain some- 



17 

thing in the future for him to look forward and aspire to, 
man would be nothing. Peprive him of that inspiriting fa- 
culty of soul, and he would grovel in the dust as the brute. 
But, say they, why not promise him at once, freedom after 
fifteen years service ? To this, I have many and strong 
objections. In that mode his freedom would appear the 
gift of his master, who might repent and retract, (as the 
slave would fear) of his promise. In the other mode, the 
slave would have gained it— have purchased and paid his 
master for it Hope would be kept alive in his bosom —he 
would have a goal in view, continually urging him on to 
faithfulness, fidelity, truth industry, economy, and every 
virtue and good work. The observations of a great and 
good man, (with whom I was in correspondence, made to 
me in one of his letters some years since,) to whom I had 
faintly intimated the plan I was pursuing with my people, 
are so descriptive of their then situation, feelings, and con- 
duct, that I will give an extract from it. " Your plan, 
Dear Sir, as I infer from, what you have intimated to me, 
calls into action a higher and nobler motive than servile 
fear. It holds out a reward to the obedient, and the faith- 
ful. Such a motive can seldom fail. It is the impulsive 
cause of all good conduct; hence we find it holding a con- 
spicuous place in that system of government which the Al- 
mighty exercised over the ancient Israelites: 'If ye be 
willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.' — 
And the same motive to Christian conduct, is presented un- 
der the Christian dispensation: " Be thou faithful until 
death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' From the 
foregoing summary, it will be seen, that the basis of my 



18 

plan for their success and government, was Religion — a 
desire to awaken in their bosoms the love of the Divinity. 
Hope and trust in Him, once born in their souls, would 
produce its fruit — a determination to obedience, labor, or- 
der, economy, and all good works. That such was the re- 
sult, and was the impulsive cause of their true and faithful 
conduct, is shown. Its effects on the interest of their mas- 
ter, his happiness, and their own happiness, is also seen 
and shown. They have now sailed for Liberia, the land 
of their fathers; and I can say with truth, and heartfelt sa- 
tisfaction, that a more virtuous people do not exist in any 
community; and I pray the Most High to continue unto 
them the blessings which he never ceased to shower down 
on their heads, whilst under my roof. 

I will further observe, that from the day on which I made 
the agreement with them, (notwithstanding they had, at all 
times previous thereto, been a well disposed, and orderly 
people;) an entire change appeared to come over them; 
they were no longer apparently the same people; a sedate- 
ness, a care, an economy, an industry, took possession of 
thern, to which there seemed to be no bounds, but in their 
physical strength. They were never tired of laboring, and 
seemed as though they could never effect enough. They 
became temperate, moral, religious, setting an example of 
innocent and unoffending lives to the world arooud them, 
which was seen and admired by all. The result of my ex- 
periment in a pecuniary point of view, as relates, to myself, 
is not one of the least surprising of its features, and is this, 
that in the space of about sixteen years, which those people 
served me, since making the agreement with them, they have 



19 

gained for me, in addition to having performed more, and 
belter labor than slaves ordinarily perform, in the usual time 
of laboring, a sum of money, (including the sum they ap- 
pear to have paid me, in the purchase of their time,) which 
will enable me to go to Virginia, or Carolina, and purchase 
a gang of people, of nearly double the number, of those I 
have sent away. This I state from an account kept by me, 
showing the amount and nature of their extra work, and la- 
bor, which I am ready to attest to, in the most solemn man- 
ner, at any time. 

Previous to entering into the agreement with those peo- 
ple, I calculated, (and my estimate and calculation has been 
fully realized, and more than realized to me, in the result,) 
that their labor would be given, with all the energy of heart, 
soul, and physical powers; that they would in consequence, 
accomplish more labor in a given time, than the same 
number of people would, in ordinary circumstances; and 
that in addition, they would labor some two, three, or four 
hours, morning and night, in the twenty-four hours of the 
day, more, than other slaves were in the habit of doing, or 
would do. To set forth and show the spirit that actuated 
and filled their souls, (in relation to their worldly concerns) 
during the whole time they were operating under this agree- 
ment, I will state in the sequel to this, some circumstances 
known here, to hundreds of our most respectable citizens. 
If the planters of Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas, 
whose lands are worn out, would entrust their slaves to the 
younger male branches of their families, to bring here, into 
our State, to cultivate the richest alluvian soils in the world, 
they would be enabled, (under such an agreement with their 



20 

slaves as I have pointed out above,) every fifteen years, 
(after gaining by their extra labor, the value of their entire 
gangs, making large revenues, and passing happy lives; for 
I can say with great truth, that the last sixteen years of 
mine, passed as they have been, in peace, and without anx- 
iety, in the midst of those people, have been among the 
most happy of my life; for the very knowledge that I was 
surrounded by those who looked upon me in the light of a 
friend and father, and who would willingly at any time have 
periled their own lives, to have saved mine, if necessary, 
gave peace and serenity to the mind,) to send their entire 
gangs to Liberia without the cost of a dollar to themselves. 
Besides which, to bring their slaves into this State, and 
keep them here fifteen years, would be an act of humanity, 
as it would inure them to a climate very analogous to that 
of Africa, and they would run no risk to their health, or 
lives, when afterwards settling in Liberia. I will now state, 
that to carry out this plan with complete success, it is all 
important that the slave has full and entire confidence in his 
master; he must know, and be convinced, that his master is 
his friend, and well wisher; that he is true, sincere and hon- 
est; without this confidence of the slave in his master, I at 
once confess, the plan could not be carried out with suc- 
cess. It would be in vain for a master to attempt it, whose 
character was known for duplicity, untruth, dishonesty, cru- 
elty, Sic. &c; he would not succeed in it; for no one is bet- 
ter acquainted with the character of the master than the 
slave himself. To insure the success of the plan in all its 
parts, I will say also to such masters as feel an interest in 
the happiness of their black people, and will attempt to ex- 



21 

rcutc and Garry 4t out, neglect not religious instruction to 
vonr people; for religion must be combined with the plan, 
and walk hand in hand with it. To encourage them in the 
execution and carrying out of their engagement, I showed 
them every six months, or twice a year, their accounts, on 
my books, and informed them of its state, their success, and 
the sum of money they had gained, and which was in my 
hands, standing to the credit of their accounts ; — this pro- 
ceeding on my part, appeared to instil, as it were, new life 
into them, to afford them great satisfaction; it was a proof 
also to them of the interest I took, and felt in their affairs. 
The Legislatures of our different slave States, might by the 
enactment of laws on the subject, greatly assist and protect 
the interest of the slave. (I do not mean by forcing the 
master to make such arrangements, or to come to such an 
understanding with their slaves;) but in the event of misfor- 
tune, or bankruptcy in the master or mistress, whose slaves 
had been working under such an arrangement made with 
them, that the master or mistress, might be permitted to 
prove, on his or her oath, in a court of justice, that such 
an agreement existed between him, or her, and their slaves; 
and that they, (the slaves) had been working under said 
agreement, for such, or such a length of time; that such a 
sum of money had been gained by them, towards their 
freedom, &c. &c. By which means, the slaves, (if seized 
for debt,) could only be sold for a certain time, (of sufficient 
duration, after a legal estimation,) for the purpose of pay- 
ing, and liquidating the balance due from them, (the slaves) 
on themselves ; well understood, that such enactments 
should be made by the different Legislatures, under the ex- 



99 



press condition, that the slaves were not to remain in the 
United States, but to remove, or to be removed, to Liberia, 
in Africa, so soon as the time of service for which they were 
sold, should have expired. If on the other hand, the mas- 
ter or mistress of slaves, who- had of their own free will en- 
tered into such an agreement with their slaves, should die 
previous to the slaves having acquired the right to emigrate 
to Liberia, under the agreement they had made to labor for 
their freedom, the slaves should be protected by law, and 
permitted to prove in a court of justice, by one or more dis- 
interested white witnesses, (who had heard it from the 
mouth of the master or mistress of the slaves,) the amount 
they had already gained under the agreement, and they 
should then be sold as servants for time, to pay the balance 
due from them, the said slaves, and then forced to emigrate 
to Liberia. 

I will now say a few words relative to my general mode 
of treating those people. They were lodged in warm and 
comfortable houses, fed with good salt provisions and corn 
bread, with a plenty of garden vegetables cooked with pork, 
clothed with strong durable clothing, according to the sea- 
son; a ration of molasses, and one of salt was allowed them 
weekly, and a little coffee and common tea, every six 
months; Christmas and New Year's presents, served to 
supply their little wants, and enable them to leave nearly 
every thing arising from their own labor, untouched in my 
hands. They kept hogs and fowls of their own, and culti- 
vated what ground they needed, in corn and vegetables. 
In sickness, I had as good care taken of them, as of myself, 
with good nurses to attend them. When they committed, 



or were charged with oflences, I did not order an arbitrary 
punishment, but had them tried by their peers; I would 
summon a jury of five or six of the principal men, say to 
them, such a man, or such a woman, is charged with such, 
or such an offence, the witnesses I am told, are such, and 
such persons; summon them, hold your court, have him 
tried, and report to me your judgment, and the punishment 
to be inflicted. It was done, all in due form; (the court 
room was the church,) the trial took place, and the person 
acquitted or condemned, the punishment awarded, (if con- 
demned and found guilty,) was reported to me, and I gen- 
erally found it necessary to modify it, in reference to leni- 
ency. If twenty lashes was awarded, I would say to the 
judges who were the executors of the sentence, give ten 
lashes, and a moral lecture to the culprit, for the offence. 
It was done, the criminal acknowledged the justice of the 
punishment, promised better things for the future, and for- 
got not to be grateful to the master who had reduced the 
decree of punishment, and reinstated him in place and favor. 
For upwards of twenty years I have had no white man 
over them, as an overseer, one of themselves was their man* 
ager, or commander, who conducted, directed, and managed 
the others; nor would I myself have the time once in si>c 
months to see in person what they Were doing; though the 
commander would report to me nightly, what ho had done 
through the day, and receive my instructions for the day fol- 
lowing. — They were besides, my men of business, enjoyed 
my confidence, were my rinks, transacted ;ill my affairs, 
made purchases of materials, collected my rents, leased mj 
houses, took care <»i my property and effects of every kind. 



24 

and that with an honesty and fidelity which was proof against 
every temptation. As I promised to state in the sequel, some 
circumstances that would go to show the spirit that animated 
and Ailed their souls, in executing and carrying out the agree- 
ment they had entered into with their master, and in what 
way the extra lal>;>r I have spoken of was performed by them. 
I have now to observe, that I have been looked on generally 
by the French planters on the opposite side of the river to 
New-Orlaans, (where I reside,) as, if not a very cruel, at least 
a very severe master, one who works his people late and early, 
(for the whip was seldom or ever heard on my plantation, 
never indeed, except to uphold and support good order and 
ility.) Some years since, a gentleman from one of the 
Eastern states, a friend of mine, met me in the street of New- 
Orleans, on a Monday, and on stopping me, began to smile, 
saying, that he had passed the day previous (the sabbath,) in 
the country, a few leagues above my residence, on the right 
bank of the Mississippi, at the house of a rich sugar j:>lanter, 
who had given a party in honor of his arrival, and where he 
had met at dinner, some twenty or thirty French gentlemen, 
(principally sugar planters of that side of the river,) and their 
ladies, that at dinner, the conversation turned on planting, 
■crops, slavery, &c. Sec, and he w T as asked what was generally 
thought by the inhabitants of the Eastern and Northern States, 
of the inhabitants of the South of the Union, the slave hol- 
ders. The gentleman replied, among other observations, that 
the French planters of Louisiana were looked irpon generally 
by the Americans of the North, as very severe, and even cruel 
masters in the treatment of their slaves, much more so even 
than the planters of Louisiana of English ancestry. This 



25 

brought from the gentlemen at tabie an assertion that some of 
tlic most severe masters of the State were to be found among 
the Anglo Americans, (a term by which all Americans and 
strangers generally are called by the natives of Louisiana of 
French descent,) and as an instance, they cited you, mention- 
ing your name, as one who obliged his people to work until 
midnight, and one and two o'clock in the morning, and for the 
truth of the assertion they appealed to one another, when if 
was confirmed by them generally, both ladies and gentlemen, 
that they had known your black people often and often to have 
been at work (as they had seen them with their own eyes,) 
until that late hour of the night and morning 1 , adding;, that it 
was known to be a common thing with them to Work late and 
early. The gentleman observed to the company, as he in- 
formed me, that the circumstance surprised and astonished 
him much — knowing me as he did, he had not supposed me 
capable of treating my people with such severity, Szc. <S:c. — 
they again assured him of the fact, and appealed to every in- 
habitant of the country between that and my residence, for its 
truth. Now, says my friend, the gentleman in question to me 
I merely mention those things to you, I do not inquire as to 
the truth of it, because I am convinced there is some mistake 
about it, something I do not understand. — To this I observed, 
smiling, not so fast my friend, all that those ladies and gentle- 
men asserted, is true, and they had seen, as they informed 
you, with their own eyes, my people at work, often, and oft- 
en, at the hours they mentioned to you, but did they tell you 
at the same time, that they never saw them at work, but they 
were as merry as crickets, singing and joyful, making the 
whole neighborhood vocal with their happiness; because, had 



26 

they told you that, which would have hc-cn nothing hut the 
truth, it would no doubt have convinced you, that there was 
no compulsion in their laboring. The only part of the asser- 
tion of those ladies and gentlemen which was incorrect, was 
that wherein they observed, that I obliged my slaves to work 
until midnight, and one and two o'clock in the morning. They 
are often working, I confess, until these hours; but I do not 
force them to work, it is of their own fret' will and accord. 
Then observed the gentleman, you must pay them I presume. 
I do not say, said I to him, what I do, further, than that there 
is no compulsion in their laboring; but I promise, that you 
shall know the story one day, if I am spared, (which he will as 
I shall send him a copy of this.) We then separated, but I 
found the gentleman, I confess, very incredulous, (notwith- 
standing he knew something of my character,) as to slaves 
working of their own accord, without compulsion from their 
master. The story is this : my residence is on the opposite 
side of the river Mississippi, immediately in front of the centre, 
of the city of New Orleans ; the steam ferry, which runs from 
one side of the river to the other, lands a short distance below 
my house. The French ladies and gentlemen residing above 
my house, on the right bank of the river, being very fond of 
balls and theatres, were in consequence, in the constant habit 
of passing and re-passing my house, to and from the city of 
New Orleans in their carriages, at all hours of the night and 
morning. Immediately below, and adjoining my residence, I 
had extensive establishments for the making of brick, engaged 
in working in which, those ladies and gentlemen saw, with 
their own eyes, often and often, my people, at the hours they 
mentioned, which explains why they considered me a severe 



21 

master. I have to observe, that I was in the habit of never 
retiring to rest at night, until seeing my commander, and know- 
ing that the people had come in from their work, (for I have 
labored myself day and night, through a long life, and shall 
continue so to do, to its close,) and often, and often, when the 
clock would strike 10, and 11, I would say to a servant of the 
house, (not having seen the commander,) have the people come 
in from their work ! and he would reply, no sir, I see bon- 
fires in the brick yard, they have not yet finished their work. 
I would then say to him, go out and ask the commander what 
keeps him out so late, when he would return to me, saying, 
sir, the commander says there is some thirty or forty thousand 
bricks out, the weather looks like rain, and he must get them 
in and save them, or they will be lost. Satisfied with this 
statement, I have waited until midnight, and sent out a cram: 
the same answer returned; again, at 1 o'clock in the morning, 
same answer ; they singing the whole time, that they might 
be heard over the neighborhood. At 2 o'clock I have sent out 
to him with positive orders to break off work, and bring his 
people in, even if the bricks should be lost — that I would not 
permit them to work any longer. When in would come the 
commander, (and likely not at all pleased,) saying, Sir, if you 
had let us go on an hour or two longer, we should have saved 
all our brick, which I fear we may lose. When I have had to 
console him by telling him, you cannot work all night, it is ve- 
ry late now, the people must have rest. This will serve to 
show, how the spirit worked within them, and after retiring to 
bed and rest, I have known them hundreds of times, on an ap- 
pearance of rain, to arise and go out to work, at all hours of the 
night and morning. I will now give another instance, (T could 
4 



m 

relate hundreds,) going to show the effect of that hope, that 
charm of man's existence, " Liberty," on the life, and actions 
of those people. Some years since, some 20 or 30 of those 
people were engaged in erecting some extensive brick ware 
houses on Julia street, in New Orleans, (for they were excel- 
lent mechanics of various trades, and were in the habit of ma- 
king brick, purchasing shells and burning lime, sawing timber, 
and then taking the materials when made, and building them 
up into fine houses, on both sides of the river, for their master,) 
near to the residence of Edward E. Parker, Esq., one of our 
most wealthy and respectable citizens, a gentleman who was 
in the habit of building very extensively himself in the city. 
Meeting Mr. Parker on a certain day in the street of New Or- 
leans, I was accosted, and asked, whether I would sell him a 
certain black man named Jim, or James, (having several men of 
that name, I inquired which James,) when he observed, the 
one who was at the head of the brick layers, who were erect- 
ing those warehouses on Julia street, near to his, Mr. Parker's 
residence. I replied to him, no — that I was not in the habit of 
selling people, that I purchased occasionally, but never sold. 
Mr. Parker then observed, that he wished I would depart in the 
present instance from my general rule, and agree to sell him 
that man ; that he was very desirous of possessing him ; that 
as he was erecting several buildings, the man would suit him, 
and that he would give a good price for him. I again said to 
him, that the man was not for sale, and was about to leave him, 
when he observed : could you not be tempted sir to sell him, I 
will give you $2,500 for him, in cash. I told Mr. Parker it did 
not tempt me, and we separated. A week or two thereafter, I 
met Mr. Parker again, and was again accosted on the same sub- 



ject, with, do Mr. McDonogh, sell me that man; I will give you 
$3000 for him. Again I made him the same answer, that he 
was not for sale. Again and again, we met in the streets, and 
each time the same request, by raising the offer of price at each 
interview, until at last, Mr. Parker informed me, that he would 
pay me So 000 in cash, for him. Feeling at length a little vex- 
ed, at those repeated demands, I said to Mr. Parker, though 
you are a very rich man, sir, your whole fortune could not pur- 
chase that man, (not that he is worth it, or worth more than any 
other man,) or any of the others ; but because he is not to be 
sold. Mr. Parker findin sr at lensrth, from the refusal of such a 
large sum of money for him, that there was no hopes of obtain- 
ing him, observed to me, well then, Mr. McDonogh, seeing 
now that you will not sell liim at any price, tell me what kind 
of people are those of yours : to which I replied, how so, Mr. 
Parker, I suppose they are like other men ; flesh and blood, 
like you and myself; when he replied, why sir, I have never 
seen such people ; building as they are, next door to my resi- 
dence, I see, and have my eye on them from morning till night. 
You are never there, for I have never met you, or seen you 
once at the building ; tell me sir, said he, where do those peo- 
ple of yours live, — do they cross the river morning and night] 
I informed him that they lived on the opposite side of the river, 
where I lived myself, and crossed it to their work, when work- 
ing in New Orleans, night and morning, except when stormy, 
(which happened very seldom,) when I did not permit them to 
cross it, to endanger their lives; at such time, they remained at 
home, or in the city. Why sir, said he, 1 am an early riser, 
getting up before day ; and do you think that 1 am not awoke 
every morning of my life, by the noise of their trowels, at woi k : 



30 

and their singing and noise, before day; and do you suppose, 
sir, that they stop, or leave off work at sun down? no sir; but 
they work as long as they can see to lay brick, and then carry 
up brick and mortar, for an hour or two afterwards, to be ahead 
of their work the next morning. And again sir, do you think 
they walk at their work ? no sir ; they run all day — you see 
sir, said he, those immensely long ladders, five stories in height; 
do you suppose they walk up them ? no sir, they run up and 
down them like monkeys, the whole day long. I never saw 
such people as those, sir, I do not know what to make of them; 
was there a white man over them with a whip in his hand, all 
day, why then I should see and understand the cause of their 
running, and incessant labor ; but I cannot comprehend it, sir ; 
there is something in it, sir — there is something in it. Great 
man, sir, that Jim — great man sir — should like to own him, 
sir, should like to own him. After having laughed very hearti- 
ly at the observations of Mr. Parker, for it was all truth, every 
word of it, I informed him that there was a secret about it, 
which I would disclose to him some day, and we separated. 
INow, Mr. Parker imputed the conduct of these people, (for I 
have given the very words and expressions he used, and he is 
alive, hearty and well in New Orleans, and can be spoken to, 
by any one interested in the subject,) to the head man who con- 
ducted them, and in consequence, impressed with that belief, of- 
fered me five thousand dollars for him ; but Mr. Parker knew 
not the stimulus that acted on the heart of each, and every one 
of them ; that it was the whole body of them that moved togeth- 
er as one mind ; not one alone, the head man, as he supposed. 
In closing this statement, I will say a few words to show what 
die attachment of people similarly situated, (slaves,) will be to 



31 

a master who treats them justly. The ship on which they sail- 
ed for Africa, laid opposite my house, in the Mississippi, at the 
bank of the river ; I had taken my leave of them on going on 
board the ship, on Friday evening, the day previous to her 
sailing, in my house. The scene which then took place, I will 
not attempt to describe — it can never be erased from my mem- 
ory. Though standing in need on the occasion, of consolation 
myself, (in bidding a last farewell on earth, to those who had so 
many claims on my affection, and who had been round and 
about me for such a long series of years,) I had to administer it 
to them, who stood in the greater need of it. To tell them that 
the separation was but for a brief period of time ; that we should 
meet again I trusted, in a better and happier state ; to charge 
them to gird up their loins, and play the man valiantly, in their 
determination to enter into their own Canaan, and to remember, 
that there was still another and final separation from all things 
earthly, which they had to sustain and encounter ; to meet, and 
be prepared for which, they must persevere in well doing to the 
end ; that their lamps must be kept well trimmed, and their 
lights a burning. On Saturday morning the Rev. Mr. McLain, 
the Agent of the American Colonization Society, (who took a 
deep interest in all that concerned this people) crossed the river 
to dispatch the ship, and see them take their departure, which 
took place about 8 o'clock in the morning of that day, the 11th 
of June. After seeing them off, (the ship was taken by a 
steamer,) Mr. McLain came into my house, as I was expecting 
him to breakfast, and on seeing him much affected in his man- 
ner, (a tear standing in his eye,) I inquired if any thing had ta- 
ken place to give him pain ; to which he replied, "oh, sir, it was 
an affecting sight to see them depart. They were all on the 



32 

deck of the ship, and your servants who have not gone, were 
on the shore bidding them farewell, when from every tongue on 
board the ship, I heard the charge to those on shore, Fanny take 
care of our master ; James, take care of our master ; take 
c^re of our master, as you love us, and hope to meet us in 
heaven, take care of our beloved master." Which ejaculations, 
said he, continued until they were out of hearing. This would 
appear to reverse the general course of things. It is the mas- 
ter or mistress who is heard, when about to make a voyage, rec- 
ommending their servants to the care of some confidential per- 
son ; but here was the servants recomm°nding their master, to 
the care of other servants. 

I have now, gentlemen Editors, fulfilled my promise, and re- 
lated the experience I have had in the management of slaves — 
should it induce but one planter in the State to try the mode I 
pursued, so much to my own satisfaction and pecuniary advan- 
tage, and meet with the same success, which has attended my 
attempt, I shall consider the time it has cost in giving the rela- 
tion, well spent, and myself fully repaid. 

"With great respect, I am, Gentlemen, 

Your friend and ob't servant, 

JOHN McDONOGH. 

Macdonogh, opposite Nerv Orleans, July 10th, 1842. 



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